Pebble the pick?

Is Pebble Beach the greatest golf course on the planet? Better than Augusta and St Andrews?

By Dave Tindall

Last Updated: 12/02/13 8:12am

The Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus, in his element at Pebble Beach

Jack Nicklaus once said: "If I had only one more round to play, I would choose to play it at Pebble Beach. I've loved this course from the first time I saw it. It's possibly the best in the world."

Certainly, Pebble Beach wins the majority of polls for most beautiful golf course in the world but would you favour it over Augusta or St Andrews if given Jack's ultimatum of one last 18? (see right-hand side of page to cast your vote)

Host to the US Open on five occasions between 1972 and 2010 (and again in 2019), many even feel it should become the tournament's permanent home.

Like winning an Open Championship at St Andrews, capturing a US Open at Pebble has an added kudos and it's no surprise that the cream has risen to the top in the five majors there.

Nicklaus won the inaugural US Open at Pebble in 1972, Tom Watson won the next in 1982 with a famous chip-in birdie at 17 and in 2000 it was the scene of Tiger Woods' incredible record-breaking 15-shot triumph.

The two other winners - Tom Kite (1992) and Graeme McDowell (2010) - were both Ryder Cup stars while future US Ryder Cup skipper Lanny Wadkins took the trophy when it hosted the 1977 USPGA.

Of course, it's not just Nicklaus who raves about the California links.

Here are some more quotes from some of the greats along with some of the field playing this week in the annual PGA Tour event played there - the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am .

"Ask any golfer around the world to name a golf course in the United States, and Pebble Beach will be the first thing they say." - Tom Watson, eight-time major champion and winner of 1982 US Open at Pebble Beach

"Pebble is a piece of sacred ground. They say it's the greatest meeting of land and water in the world. This course was heaven designed - just the way it fits on the land." - Johnny Miller, two-time major champion and three-time AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am winner.

"If St. Andrews is the home of golf, I think Pebble Beach feels like the home of American golf, like the home of championship golf. It has a real sense of history here." - Stewart Cink, 2009 Open champion

"It seems a little bit like the home of the US Open in the States. For all the venues of the US Open this is more synonymous for the U.S. Open than any other one." - Padraig Harrington, three-time major champion

"I don't think you can get a better venue any place in the world." - Ernie Els, four-time major winner and joint runner-up in 2000 US Open at Pebble.

* So is Pebble the best? Vote in our poll and let us know your thoughts below. Or also cast your vote via @skysportsgolf on Twitter.